Apple's decision to remove the SD card reader from its new MacBook Pro was motivated in part by what SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller describes as the cumbersome process of using a notebook with an SD card attached.

Schiller tells The Independent that it is "a bit of a cumbersome slot. You've got this thing sticking halfway out." Plus, he adds, professional photographers and videographers don't need a built-in SD card reader since external ones are faster and compatible with more card formats like CompactFlash.

Finally, "more and more cameras are starting to build wireless transfer into the camera," Schiller asserts. "So we think there's a path forward where you can use a physical adaptor if you want, or do wireless transfer."

But the same logic apparently doesn't apply to the headphone jack, which is included in the new MacBook Pro but absent on the iPhone 7. Schiller admits there are many great wireless headphones (including Apple's AirPods, which were recently delayed), but says they don't meet the needs of professional audio editors.

"Many users have setups with studio monitors, amps, and other pro audio gear that do not have wireless solutions and need the 3.5mm jack," he tells The Independent.

Related

Despite the apparent incongruity of his positions on creative professionals' needs, Schiller's interview with paper makes it clear that Apple still values these people's business. He also admits to being caught off guard by criticism of adding a Touch Bar to the new MacBook Pro rather than just making its display a touch screen.

"To be fair it has been a bit of a surprise to me," he says. "But then, it shouldn't be. I have never seen a great new Apple product that didn't have its share of early criticism and debate — and that's cool. We took a bold risk, and of course with every step forward there is also some change to deal with."

About the Author

As a hardware analyst, Tom tests and reviews laptops, peripherals, and much more at PC Labs in New York City. He previously covered the consumer tech beat as a news reporter for PCMag in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where he rode in several self-driving cars and witnessed the rise and fall of many startups. Before that, he worked for PCMag's s... See Full Bio

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